Updates to Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations and Future Implications

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, although there have been significant improvements in CRC incidence and mortality over time. Despite robust efforts in CRC screening, roughly one-third of eligible adults are not up to date with CRC screening. Trends in CRC incidence and mortality show an alarming increase in individuals below the age of 50, prompting the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to update their 2016 recommendations on CRC screening. This update now recommends initiation of CRC screening at age 45 years instead of age 50 years for all average-risk adults. This review addresses the rationale for this update, highlights the recommended modalities for screening, discusses the role of programmatic screening, and posits the implications of this update to the gastroenterology community.